Tuesday, December 8, 2015

WATCH ME NAE NAE: A Look at Contemporary Church Affirmations


A Look at Contemporary Church Affirmations

There is a song and dance that has been a big thing in 2015 called Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).  It is a fun song so my comments are in no way meant to address the song or dance.  It came to mind as I read certain church leaders descriptions.  The repeated WATCH ME in the song seems to be something repeated in the contemporary church and receives great applause and affirmation. 

It isn’t the idea of follow me as I follow Christ, but watch ME.  Here is a list of accomplishments which seem similar to a list of credentials a businessman or businesswoman would present on their resume.  For example: (Names changed)

Smitty, Lead Pastor, has spent his adult life helping churches achieve remarkable growth. In 35 years of ministry Smitty has appeared numerous times on the “top 50” list for youth evangelism (out of 40,000+ churches nationwide), including two years in a row at number one. He has helped to guide church health and growth work around the world. Smitty says, “I have no doubt there is not another church in this region better positioned, or with more potential to reach irreligious people. I am 100% committed to helping us become even more effective.”

Bojangles brings many years of experience not only as a worship pastor, but as a man that has been repeatedly and catalytically used by God for church growth. Most recently he was one of the founders of Emerge Student Ministries of Hotsun, Arizona. Before that he was one of the instrumental people God used to grow a church of 300 to over 900 in approximately one year. Throughout twenty years of ministry he has been catalytic in the growth and health of several other churches.

Additional info from the Staff page.  Smitty loves to teach and communicate God’s word in ways that help people connect with, and live out Scripture. His combined pastoral/teaching/evangelistic and consulting ministry spans 37 years, where he has served at and led some of the largest ministries in America.

The accomplishment of “growth” is mentioned.  The definition of growth can be either numerical or spiritual, and it could be both.  The numerical appears to have the main place in the excerpts for the web page above.  This growth is related to church so it is assumed to be spiritual, but that is a dangerous assumption.  Think about your own spiritual growth was it rapid like a mushroom or slow like an oak?  There are times of healthy rapid growth over the course of church history, but it is more often a slow process of learning, practice and experience with God.  Bojangles is said to have been used of God to grow a church of 300 to over 900 in about a year.  Which is highlighted numerical or spiritual growth?  The spiritual does seem to be assumed in the numerical, but probably ought not be. 

Smitty loves to teach and communicate God’s word so that is spiritual, right?  It may.  Over the years of meeting preacher types there are those who love to preach.  That means exactly that.  They love to be in the spotlight.  They enjoy the attention.  They want to be the main speaker.  They love to preach.  Many are highly talented communicators and crowd gatherers.  There is a place in the Body of Christ for everyone’s skills and abilities.  But it is when ego enters in that things get shifted. It smacks of the WATCH ME approach.  I don’t know if Smitty is this way or not I am just using the write up on him to make a point.  Our fundamental reality is to love God and people.  The preacher out of love of God and love of people communicates by preaching and other ways in order to connect people to God and real relationships with others.  Like Jeremiah God’s Word is like a fire in the preacher’s bones and he must speak.  And it is God’s Word that points us to an experiential relationship with God.   What if in church we substituted a knowledge of the Bible and application of it according to our own interests?  It isn’t quite as dynamic as an experiential relationship with the living God, but it is something done before.  The practice of the Pharisees was to connect with the Scripture and live it out.  Jesus appreciated their desire to be in the Word, but did question their heart and that they denied the power of God.  Back to Smitty.  Smitty we are told on the church staff page loves to teach and communicate God’s word in ways that help people connect with, and live out Scripture.  What is missing?  Relationship with God.  Experiential connection with God.  Maybe that is assumed in the idea of living out Scripture.  I am cautiously optimistic. 

So what if the church advertised as though Jesus was really something?  What if we applauded those who walked with Him faithfully even though imperfectly?  What if we affirmed what God affirms as right and good and worthwhile?  I wonder what church websites and brochures might look like. 

Two songs came to mind.  The first, as you know, Watch Me, and the second, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.  Here are the links if you would like to compare for yourself.  (Watch Me is a cute video and it is only the idea of watch me as a self-centered thing that I have been focusing on.  Have fun and check it out.) 
Watch Me


Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus







No comments:

Post a Comment